JP2015156887A - Electrostimulator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrostimulator capable of performing efficient and effective treatment by simply applying electrostimulation to a patient while treating the patient.SOLUTION: An electrostimulator 10 for applying electrostimulation to a patient comprises: an electrode section 20 comprising plural pairs of electrodes to be mounted to the patient; a device body 30 which generates and sends stimulation signals to the electrode section 20; and an operator 40 which is connected to the device body 30 via a cable 11 and gives instruction to send the stimulation signals to the electrode section 20. The operator 40 comprises individual switches (a first individual switch 42 and a second individual switch 43) for individually giving the instruction to send the stimulation signals to each of the pairs of the electrodes 21 (a first electrode 21a and a second electrode 21b) of the electrode section 20, in association with each of the pairs of the electrodes 21.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrical stimulation device that applies electrical stimulation to a subject by a stimulation signal.

Electrical stimulation is used as a substitute for treatment such as rehabilitation, massage, and massage. In particular, electrical stimulation is an effective means for functional recovery and improvement of patients with disorders such as upper limb paralysis due to stroke.
As a conventional electrical stimulation device that applies such electrical stimulation to a subject, for example, a device described in Patent Document 1 is known.

  The low-frequency treatment device described in Patent Literature 1 can connect a set of pads (hereinafter referred to as a set pad) that abuts on an affected area and is connected to a connection cord, and can be connected to each set pad via the connection cord. Since there are multiple sets of pads and they are independent with separate connection cords, for example, one can be attached to a shoulder position and the other to a waist position. You can wear it.

JP 2004-216031 A

  For example, the movement of the subject to take an object on the table is performed by activities of a plurality of muscle groups such as a shoulder, an elbow, and a wrist. Therefore, in the conventional electrical stimulation device described in Patent Document 1, it can be considered that effective treatment can be performed because the assembly pad can be attached to muscle groups such as the shoulder, elbow and wrist of the subject. It is.

  However, when the practitioner accompanies the subject and performs rehabilitation while assisting the operation by holding the shoulder, elbow, wrist, etc. of the subject, the low frequency treatment device described in Patent Document 1 Therefore, it is difficult to apply electrical stimulation of appropriate strength to multiple muscle groups while observing the timing of movement of the subject. is there.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an electrical stimulation apparatus capable of performing an efficient and effective treatment by being able to easily apply an electrical stimulus to the subject while performing treatment of the subject. For the purpose.

  The present invention relates to an electrical stimulation device that applies electrical stimulation to a subject, the electrode unit including a plurality of pairs of electrodes to be attached to the subject, and a stimulation signal generated in the electrode unit And an operation unit that is connected to the apparatus main body via a cable and instructs the electrode unit to transmit a stimulation signal.

  According to the present invention, since the electrode section has a plurality of pairs of electrodes, it can be mounted at a plurality of locations on the body of the subject during rehabilitation, so that a plurality of muscle groups according to the operation Electrical stimulation can be applied to the. And since the operation part which instruct | indicates sending of a stimulation signal to this electrode part is connected to the apparatus main body which produces | generates and sends out a stimulation signal via the cable, and separates from an apparatus main body, an operator is one side. While operating the hand, arm, foot, torso, etc. of the subject with one hand, the operation unit can be operated with the other hand to rehabilitate the subject. Therefore, since it is not necessary to perform rehabilitation while operating a large and heavy apparatus main body, it is possible to easily apply electrical stimulation to the patient while treating the patient.

  It is desirable that the operation unit includes an individual switch for individually instructing each pair of electrodes of the electrode unit to transmit a stimulus signal, corresponding to each of the pair of electrodes. When the operation unit is provided with individual switches for individually instructing transmission of stimulation signals to each pair of electrodes of the electrode unit, when the operator operates the patient, Electrical stimulation can be applied to an electrode mounted at a position to be stimulated at an appropriate timing according to the operation.

Either one of the switch for the whole or the switch for the individual is arranged at a position where the thumb of the practitioner presses when the practitioner grips the operation unit, and the other switch is from the index finger of the practitioner. It is desirable that one of the little fingers is placed at a position where it is pressed.
As described above, since the overall switch and the individual switch are arranged in the operation unit, the thumb can be pressed while selecting either the entire switch or the individual switch with the thumb. Further, the entire switch can be pressed with any one of the index finger to the little finger, or the fingers from the index finger to the little finger can be selectively pressed in correspondence with the individual switches. Therefore, the operability of the operation unit can be improved.

  When the operation unit is formed in an oval shape, the practitioner can easily grasp the operation unit, and thus the operability can be further improved.

The apparatus main body includes a generation circuit that generates a stimulation signal, and an output adjustment switch that adjusts the intensity of the stimulation signal generated by the generation circuit, and the output adjustment switch is provided for each of the pair of electrodes. It is desirable to be formed corresponding to.
When the output adjustment switch for adjusting the intensity of the stimulation signal generated by the generation circuit is formed corresponding to each of the pair of electrodes, the intensity of the stimulation signal is adjusted according to the location to which the electrical stimulation is applied. Therefore, the practitioner can perform effective rehabilitation.

  In the present invention, since the operation unit is separated from the main body of the apparatus, it is possible to easily apply electrical stimulation to the subject while performing treatment of the subject. Can be treated.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the electrical stimulation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the apparatus main body of the electrical stimulation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the apparatus main body shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the waveform of the stimulus signal which the apparatus main body shown in FIG. 2 sends out. It is a figure for demonstrating the use condition of the electrical stimulation apparatus shown in FIG. 1, (A) is a figure of the state which extended the subject's arm, (B) is a figure of the state which bent the subject's arm. It is.

An electrical stimulation device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The electrical stimulation apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is used when performing rehabilitation while applying electrical stimulation to a subject. The electrical stimulation device 10 has two channels for applying electrical stimulation to two muscles at the same time.
The electrical stimulation device 10 includes an electrode unit 20 provided with a plurality of pairs of electrodes to be attached to a subject, a device main body 30 that generates and sends a stimulation signal to the electrode unit 20, and a cable 11 to the device main body 30. And an operation unit 40 for instructing the electrode unit 20 to send out a stimulation signal.

  The electrode unit 20 includes two pairs of positive and negative electrodes 21 (first electrode 21 a and second electrode 21 b) and two pairs of electrodes 21 that connect each of the two pairs of electrodes 21 to the apparatus body 30. And a bifurcated cable 22. The pair of electrodes 21 uses snap-type electrode pads that can be easily attached to and detached from the cable 22.

As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus main body 30 includes a generation circuit 32 (see FIG. 3) that generates a stimulation signal in a rectangular parallelepiped casing 31. In addition, the apparatus main body 30 includes various setting switches 33 for operating the generation circuit 32, a display unit 34, and a power switch 35 in the casing 31.
Various setting switches 33 and a display unit 34 are provided on the operation surface 311 of the housing 31.

  As the setting switch 33, an operation invalid switch 33 a written as “LOCK” on the operation surface 311, an output adjustment switch written as “+” and “−” (first output adjustment switch 33 b, second switch) Output adjustment switch 33c), frequency setting switch 33d labeled "frequency", pulse width setting switch 33e labeled "pulse width", and output waveform setting labeled "output waveform" A switch 33f, a time setting switch 33g indicated as “setting time”, and a mode setting switch 33h indicated as “mode” are provided.

The operation invalid switch 33a includes push switches (a first output adjustment switch 33b, a second output adjustment switch 33c, a frequency setting switch 33d, and an output instruction switch (first This is an instruction to invalidate the operation of the output instruction switch 36a and the second output instruction switch 36b)). The operation invalid switch 33a is formed by a two-contact slide switch capable of switching between two positions of valid and invalid.
The output adjustment switches (the first output adjustment switch 33b and the second output adjustment switch 33c) are for adjusting the intensity of the stimulation signal. When the “+” side is pressed, the output voltage of the stimulation signal increases. And when the “−” side is pressed, it is formed by two push switches for instructing a decrease in the output voltage. The first output adjustment switch 33b corresponds to the first electrode 21a, and the second output adjustment switch 33c corresponds to the second electrode 21b.

The frequency setting switch 33d is for instructing the setting of the frequency of the stimulation signal. When the “+” side is pressed, the frequency is increased, and when the “−” side is pressed, the frequency is decreased. It is formed by a push switch.
The pulse width setting switch 33e instructs switching of the pulse width of the stimulation signal, and is formed of a two-contact slide switch that can switch two kinds of pulse widths by two positions.
The output waveform setting switch 33f instructs selection of the type of stimulation signal, and is formed of a three-contact slide switch that can switch three types of waveforms by three positions.

The time setting switch 33g selects a combination of the stimulation signal output time and the non-output time from three types, and is formed of a three-contact slide switch that can be switched by three positions.
The mode setting switch 33h only enables the output time of the stimulus signal from the time setting switch 33g (time setting effective mode), or only when the switch of the operation unit 40 or the output instruction switch of the apparatus main body 30 is operated. It indicates whether to send a stimulation signal (time setting invalid mode). The mode setting switch 33h is formed of a two-contact slide switch capable of switching between two types of modes by two positions.

  The frequency setting switch 33d, the pulse width setting switch 33e, the output waveform setting switch 33f, the time setting switch 33g, and the mode setting switch 33h are common to the first electrode 21a and the second electrode 21b. This is the set switch.

The display unit 34 displays the setting state of the generation circuit 32, and is composed of two-digit 7-segment LEDs for two channels.
The power switch 35 is disposed on the side surface 312 of the housing 31.

On the operation surface 311, output instruction switches (first output instruction switch 36 a and second output instruction switch 36 b) labeled “ON / OFF” are arranged.
The output instruction switches (the first output instruction switch 36a and the second output instruction switch 36b) individually send stimulation signals to the pair of electrodes 21 (first electrode 21a and second electrode 21b) of the electrode unit 20, respectively. This is a push switch for instructing. The first output instruction switch 36a corresponds to the first electrode 21a, and the second output instruction switch 36b corresponds to the second electrode 21b.

  Furthermore, the operation surface 311 is provided with a first output display lamp 37a and a second display lamp 37b corresponding to each channel.

As shown in FIG. 3, the generation circuit 32 built in the apparatus main body 30 includes a control unit 32a, a signal generation unit 32b, a first amplification unit 32c, and a second amplification unit 32d.
The control unit 32a controls the signal generating unit 32b, the first amplifying unit 32c, and the second amplifying unit 32d based on the settings of the various setting switches 33, and controls display on the display unit 34. Is.
The signal generation unit 32b generates a stimulation signal based on the control from the control unit 32a, and sends it to the electrode unit 20 via the first amplification unit 32c and the second amplification unit 32d.

As shown in FIG. 1, the operation unit 40 has a side surface on the longitudinal direction side of a casing 41 formed in an elongated oval shape so as to correspond to the first electrode 21 a and the second electrode 21 b which are a pair of electrodes 21. Individual switches (a first individual switch 42 and a second individual switch 43) are formed.
The individual switches (the first individual switch 42 and the second individual switch 43) individually transmit the stimulation signals to the pair of electrodes 21 (first electrode 21a and second electrode 21b) of the electrode unit 20, respectively. It is a push switch for instructing to.
The first individual switch 42 corresponds to the first electrode 21a, and the second individual switch 43 corresponds to the second electrode 21b.
The individual switches (the first individual switch 42 and the second individual switch 43) have the same functions as the output instruction switches (first output instruction switch 36a and second output instruction switch 36b) of the apparatus main body 30.

  Further, the operation unit 40 is formed with an overall switch 44 for instructing the electrode unit 20 to send stimulation signals all together on the side surface of the casing 41 opposite to the side where the individual switch is disposed. ing. The whole switch 44 is formed by a push switch.

The operation and use state of the electrical stimulation device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, the operation of the generation circuit 32 built in the apparatus main body 30 will be described.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the control unit 32 a generates a stimulus signal based on the depression of the “+” side switch or the “−” side switch of the first output adjustment switch 33 b or the second output adjustment switch 33 c. Set the output voltage. The control unit 32a sets the output voltage from 0V to 80V to the first amplification unit 32c by the first voltage instruction signal or the second amplification unit by the first voltage instruction signal as the level V of 100 steps (see FIG. 4). 32d can be set. Further, the control unit 32a displays the 100 levels on the display unit 34 with two-digit numbers from “00” to “99”.
The first amplifying unit 32 c and the second amplifying unit 32 d send an output voltage stimulation signal corresponding to the level V set by the first output adjusting switch 33 b or the second output adjusting switch 33 c to the electrode unit 20.

The control unit 32a sets the frequency of the stimulation signal in the signal generation unit 32b based on pressing of the “+” side switch or the “−” side switch of the frequency setting switch 33d. The control unit 32a can set the frequency f from 10 Hz to 100 Hz in the signal generation unit 32b by the frequency setting signal. Further, the control unit 32a displays the frequency f on the display unit 34 by using four 7-digit numbers such as “F1” and “00” using two 7-segment LEDs if the frequency is 100 Hz, for example.
The signal generation unit 32 b generates a stimulation signal corresponding to the frequency f set by the frequency setting switch 33 d and sends it to the electrode unit 20.

Based on the pulse width setting switch 33e, the control unit 32a instructs the pulse width of the stimulation signal to the signal generation unit 32b using the pulse width setting signal. The pulse width can be specified as either 100 μs or 50 μs.
The signal generating unit 32 b generates a stimulation signal corresponding to the pulse width P set by the pulse width setting switch 33 e and sends it to the electrode unit 20.

Based on the output waveform setting switch 33f, the control unit 32a instructs the signal generation unit 32b to select the type of stimulation signal using the waveform setting signal.
There are three types of stimulation signals, waveforms A to C. In the waveform A, the cycle in which the stimulation signal flows in both directions between the pair of electrodes 21 is repeated three times. In the waveform B, a cycle in which a stimulation signal flows in both directions between the pair of electrodes 21 is performed once. In the waveform C, a cycle in which the stimulation signal flows in one direction of the pair of electrodes 21 is performed once.
The signal generation unit 32 b generates a stimulation signal corresponding to the output waveform (waveforms A to C) set by the output waveform setting switch 33 f and sends it to the electrode unit 20.

When the mode setting switch 33h is in the time setting valid mode, the control unit 32a sends the first output instruction signal and the second output signal to the first amplifying unit 32c and the second amplifying unit 32d based on the time setting switch 33g. Sending out a stimulation signal is instructed by an output instruction signal.
The time setting switch 33g can set three types of time. The time setting is the repetition of the output time of 5 seconds and the non-output time of 5 seconds, the repetition of the output time of 3 seconds and the non-output time of 3 seconds, or the output time of 1 second and the non-output time of 3 seconds. Is selected from the repetition. While measuring the time, the control unit 32a instructs the first amplifying unit 32c or the second amplifying unit 32d to send a stimulus signal when the output time comes, and instructs the stop of the sending when the non-output time comes.

  When the control unit 32a determines that the mode setting switch 33h is in the time setting invalid mode, the control unit 32a determines that the output instruction switch (the first output instruction switch 36a and the second output instruction switch 36b) of the apparatus main body 30. Corresponds to the switch that is pressed while the individual switch (the first individual switch 42, the second individual switch 43) is pressed or while the whole switch 44 is pressed. The first amplification unit 32c or the second amplification unit 32d is instructed to send a stimulation signal.

  The mode setting switch 33h is set to the “time setting effective mode” when the subject wants to apply electrical stimulation himself, and the operator operates the operation unit 40 to apply electrical stimulation to the subject. When it is desired to do so, the “time setting invalid mode” is set.

  While instructing the transmission of the stimulation signal, the control unit 32a lights one or both of the first output display lamp 37a and the second output display lamp 37b according to the channel instructed to transmit.

  Next, the usage state of the electrical stimulation device 10 will be described based on the drawings. Note that the setting switch 33 of the apparatus main body 30 is set such that the mode setting switch 33h is in the time setting invalid mode, and other settings are set to contents optimal for rehabilitation by the practitioner. The practitioner is in a state where a pair of electrodes 21 (first electrode 21a and second electrode 21b) are attached to the muscles of the upper arm of the subject. In FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the apparatus main body 30 is not shown. In addition, of the pair of electrodes 21 of the electrode unit 20, only one electrode (first electrode 21a) that applies electrical stimulation to the triceps surae muscle is illustrated, and the other that applies electrical stimulation to the biceps brachii muscle. The electrode (second electrode 21b) is not shown because it is located on the back side of the arm to which the first electrode 21a is attached.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the practitioner holds the operator's arm Y with the left hand L and holds the operation unit 40 with the right hand R.
Then, the subject presses the second individual switch 43 among the individual switches of the operation unit 40 with the thumb S of the right hand R. By pressing the second individual switch 43, a stimulation signal is sent from the apparatus main body 30 to the second electrode 21b, and an electrical stimulation is applied to the arm Y of the subject. As a result, muscle contraction occurs in the biceps brachii muscle, so the practitioner bends the arm Y of the subject with the left hand L so as to assist the movement.

  Next, the practitioner bends the arm Y of the subject with the left hand L and switches the thumb S of the right hand R to the first individual switch 42 among the individual switches of the operation unit 40 and presses it down. When the first individual switch 42 is pressed, a stimulation signal is sent from the apparatus main body 30 to the first electrode 21a, and electrical stimulation is applied to the arm Y of the subject. As a result, muscle contraction occurs in the triceps surae, so that the practitioner extends the arm Y of the subject with the left hand L so as to assist the operation.

  In the above example, the practitioner has pressed the individual switches (first individual switch 42, second individual switch 43) while changing the position to be pressed with the thumb, but the first electrode 21a and the second electrode 21b. When it is desired to simultaneously send a stimulation signal, the practitioner presses the overall switch 44 with any finger from the index finger to the little finger. Further, when the practitioner grips the operation unit 40 and the overall switch 44 is positioned at a position where the thumb is pressed, the individual switches (the first individual switch 42 and the second individual switch 43) are moved from the index finger. It can be pressed with any finger up to the little finger.

  As described above, since the first individual switch 42, the second individual switch 43, and the whole switch 44 are arranged in the operation unit 40, the operability of the operation unit 40 can be improved. Moreover, since the operation part 40 is formed in the oval shape like an egg shape, since a practitioner is easy to hold | grip, operativity can be improved further.

Thus, since the electrode part 20 shown in FIG. 1 has two pairs of the electrodes 21, it can be mounted at two places on the body of the subject during rehabilitation. Electrical stimulation can be applied to the two muscle groups. The operation unit 40 that instructs the electrode unit 20 to send the stimulation signal is connected to the device body 30 that generates and sends the stimulation signal via the cable 11 and is separated from the device body 30. The operator can rehabilitate the operator by operating the operation unit 40 with the other hand while operating the arm of the operator with one hand.
Therefore, since it is not necessary to perform rehabilitation while operating the large and heavy apparatus main body 30, it is possible to easily apply electrical stimulation to the patient while treating the patient.
Therefore, the electrical stimulation apparatus 10 can perform an efficient and effective treatment by being able to easily apply the electrical stimulation to the subject while performing the treatment of the subject.

  In addition, the operation unit 40 includes individual switches (first individual switch 42 and second individual switch 43) for individually instructing the pair of electrodes 21 of the electrode unit 20 to send stimulation signals. Since the first electrode 21a and the second electrode 21b of the pair of electrodes 21 are provided corresponding to the first electrode 21a and the second electrode 21b, when the operator operates the subject, electrical stimulation is performed at an appropriate timing according to the operation of the subject. Can be applied to the first electrode 21a or the second electrode 21b mounted at a position to be stimulated.

  Output adjustment switches (first output adjustment switch 33b and second output adjustment switch 33c) for adjusting the intensity of the stimulation signal generated by the generation circuit 32 shown in FIG. 3 correspond to each of the pair of electrodes 21. Therefore, since the intensity of the stimulation signal can be adjusted according to the location where the electrical stimulation is applied, the practitioner can perform effective rehabilitation.

In the present embodiment, since the electrical stimulation device 10 includes two pairs of electrodes 21, electrical stimulation can be applied to the two muscle groups, but three or more pairs of electrodes 21 may be provided.
Further, in the electrical stimulation device 10 according to the present embodiment, the stimulation signal is electrically stimulated by the two muscle groups simultaneously with the two pairs of the first electrode 21a and the second electrode 21b. An electrical stimulation device that functions as an interference current type low-frequency treatment device may be provided by giving a difference of stimulation signals from the electrodes to the subject as an interference wave.

  The electrical stimulation apparatus of the present invention can be used for electric massage, muscle training, and the like in addition to treatment such as rehabilitation performed by the practitioner on the subject and rehabilitation performed by the subject himself.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electrical stimulation apparatus 11 Cable 20 Electrode part 21 A pair of electrode 21a 1st electrode 21b 2nd electrode 22 Cable 30 Apparatus main body 31 Case 311 Operation surface 312 Side surface 32 Generation circuit 32a Control part 32b Signal generation part 32c 1st amplification part 32d Second amplifier 33 Setting switch 33a Operation invalid switch 33b First output adjustment switch 33c Second output adjustment switch 33d Frequency setting switch 33e Pulse width setting switch 33f Output waveform setting switch 33g Time setting switch 33h Mode Setting switch 34 Display unit 35 Power switch 36a First output instruction switch 36b Second output instruction switch 37a First output display lamp 37b Second output display lamp 40 Operation unit 41 Housing 42 First individual switch 43 Second individual Sui 44 the entire switch L left R right hand Y arm S thumb

Claims (5)

An electrical stimulation device that applies electrical stimulation to a subject,
An electrode portion provided with a plurality of pairs of electrodes to be worn on the subject; and
An apparatus body for generating and sending a stimulation signal to the electrode unit;
An electrical stimulation apparatus comprising: an operation unit connected to the apparatus body via a cable and instructing the electrode unit to send a stimulation signal.   2. The operation unit includes a pair of individual switches for individually instructing the pair of electrodes of the electrode unit to send out stimulation signals, corresponding to each of the pair of electrodes. The electrical stimulation apparatus of description. The operation unit includes an overall switch for instructing the electrode unit to send stimulation signals all at once,
Either one of the switch for the whole or the switch for the individual is arranged at a position where the thumb of the practitioner presses when the practitioner grips the operation unit, and the other switch is from the index finger of the practitioner. The electrical stimulation device according to claim 2, wherein the electrical stimulation device is disposed at a position where any of the little fingers is pressed.   The electrical stimulation device according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is formed in an elliptical shape. The apparatus main body includes a generation circuit that generates a stimulation signal, and an output adjustment switch for adjusting the intensity of the stimulation signal generated by the generation circuit,
The electrical stimulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the output adjustment switch is formed to correspond to each of the pair of electrodes.

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